High-profile political aspirants and party loyalists officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party, and the Allied People’s Movement (APM) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a coordinated political shift across key local government areas, key figures cited political reality, lack of internal democracy, and poor leadership under Governor Seyi Makinde as primary drivers for their exodus to the progressive fold.
PDP, Accord Tickets Fall Apart
At a formal declaration held along Old Ife Road in Ibadan, Hon. Hammed Taoreed Ademola (popularly known as Lucky), the PDP candidate for Ibadan North-East State Constituency 2, officially renounced his ticket to join the APC alongside hundreds of supporters.
Speaking on his exit from the ruling party, Ademola stated that rigorous due diligence revealed the shifting political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. “I came to realize that any ticket outside the APC is a mere tissue paper which cannot take a candidate anywhere in 2027,” Ademola noted.
“We are here in our hundreds to formally join the APC and promise to do our best in the interest of the progressive party and Nigeria.”
Joining Ademola was Hon. Adedapo Ojo, the Accord Party aspirant for the same constituency. Ojo described Accord as an unproductive venture that distracted the electorate.
“We thought about making Accord a credible alternative, but we realized the APC was far ahead. We wasted time, energy, and resources. Deciding to pitch our tent with the progressive party was the only logical step,” Ojo stated.
Receiving the defectors, the Chairman of the APC in Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake-Adeyemo, assured all incoming members of equal opportunity, charging them to work toward an absolute victory for the party in 2027.
Senator Sharafadeen Alli Outlines Development Blueprint Amid Surging Defections
Welcoming the political figures, the governorship candidate of the APC for the 2027 election, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, commended the defectors for identifying with the progressive movement at a critical juncture in the state’s political history.
Senator Alli promised to run an inclusive administration that guarantees fair distribution of infrastructure and social welfare across all zones of Oyo State if elected in May 2027. Key promises highlighted in his developmental agenda include:
* Civil Servant & Pensioner Welfare: Regular, living-wage salary payouts, conducive work environments for teachers and civil servants, and continuous professional capacity building.
* ICT Infrastructure Drive: Establishment of a flagship ICT Hub in Ibadan within the first six months in office, with replicate hubs planned for Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Oyo, and Ibarapa before January 2029.
* Healthcare Expansion: Equipping and staffing standard General Hospitals across each of the 33 Local Government Areas in the state.
“It is a thing of joy that reasonable individuals are abandoning their parties to join the APC at a time like this. Oyo State deserves the best from May 2027,” Alli affirmed.
Over 1,000 Oluyole APM Loyalists End Alliance with Governor Makinde
In a parallel blow to the ruling coalition, over one thousand members of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in Oluyole Local Government Area severed their long-standing political ties with Governor Seyi Makinde to align with the APC.
Led by Hon. Mustapha Kazeem (popularly known as Oba Oluyole), the defectors gathered at the APC Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, where they were received by Party Chairman Otunba Moses Alake-Adeyemo and executive members.
Addressing party leaders, Mustapha accused Governor Makinde of marginalizing key figures who built his political platform, describing the APM in the state as “Gov. Makinde’s private estate.”
“He does not appreciate loyalty, good human relations, and sacrifice despite being a beneficiary of a collective struggle,” Mustapha stated. “The few people empowered in Oluyole victimized most of us for over seven years. We can no longer continue in deceit and propaganda. Enough is enough.”
Presenting the new members with APC symbols at the Oke-Ado headquarters, Oluyole APC Chairman Prince Dotun Oladipupo alongside Otunba Adeyemo formally integrated the defectors, charging them to embrace the party’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Prominent leaders present to receive the defectors included Hon. Fatai Adesina (State Secretary), Hon. Tunde Elegbede (State Financial Secretary), Dr. Felicia Opatunde, Olawale Sadare, Comrade Olalekan Oladejo, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe (2027 Candidate for Oluyole Federal Constituency), and Hon. Hakeem Lawal (Oluyole State Constituency Candidate).
